St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-11-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Oct. "a, 1887.

WASHINGTON, Oct. "a, 1887.
The number of interesting cases be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United
States probably has not been so large
for wears as at the present time.
Among the number may mention the
cases of the Virginia State officials, VINO
have been released under writs Of ha-
beas corpus-the trial being set for
hearing on the first Monday in Novem-
Der; the appeal of the Chicago anar-
chists, whose counsel, Generals Roger
A. Pryor and Benjamin F. Butler, have
applied for writ of supercedas-to be
heard next Thursday. Besides these,
there are number of prohibition
cases,-all of which, the first named
included, involve constitutional ques-
tions of the gravest import to the le-
gal rights of the citizens. Hence their
Importance and the general interest
that attaches to them.
Civil Service is again to the front,
both in the departments, where the
examination of the clerks has been re-
sumed, and in the public prints, where
the diverging views of Civil Service
Commissioners Oberly and Edgerton
furnish current topics of editorial COM
ment and private discussion. Mr.
Edgerton boldly takes issue with his
colleague on the position taken by him
in regard to the alleged illegality of
Government employees being active
members of political associations, and
asserts his belief that there is no good
foundation either in law or in reason
for such conclusion.
Secretary Bayard authorizes denial
of the reported difference between At
torDey- General Garland and himelf,
over the question of the Alaskan seal
fisheries. Some Washington newspa-
pers and correspondents, in their zeal to
furnish sensational news, have even
gravely stated that Secretary Bayard
would surely resign if the President
did not endorse his views.
During the past week, there was a
convention of Agricultural Scientists,
representing all of the agricultural col
leges and experimental stations in the
United States. Thismeeting was pro-
vided for by a special act of Congress,
with the view of fostering progressive
methods and measures of farming and
increasing the producing capacity of the
land in cultivation. The proceedings
of the convention were very harmo-
NOUS and satisfactory, and its delibera-
tons will doubtless result in great and
lasting good to the agricultural inter-
ests OF the country.
The State Department has announced
the ratification of the extradition trea-
ty with Guatemala, which was sent to
the Senate many years ago-during
Grants Presidency,-the last clause be-
ing as follows: Neither Government
shall be required to give up its own
citizens under the stipulatons of this
convention This treaty is significant
as showing a return to the old Demo
cratic doctrine of firmly dealing with
foreign nations.
The fact that Postmaster General
Villas was the only member of the
Presidents Cabinet who accompanied
him on bis late tour is considered of
great political significance in some
quarters, as it is thought to foreshadow
Vice Presidential candidacy on the
part of the gentlemen named. There
are those who believe that Mr.. Villas
has more ambitious designs-that his
real purpose is to place himself in
training with the view of succeeding
his present chief in 1899.
The Capitol has been overhauled and
renovated, preparatory to the meeting
of the national solons. Among the i'm
provements are elegant new carpets.
and new overing for the desks.
The candidates for the various offices
in the gift of the House are making an
unusually vigorous canvass. While
there is ne possible way Of forecasting
the result, should not be at all sur
prised to see several changes in the
House officials. Nobody is safe except
Ex-Speaker Carlisle.
After their great tour, covering 1850
miles, and crossing seventeen states
everywhere being overwhelmed with
grand popular ovations; President and
Mrs. Cleveland returned to the Capital
With as little ceremony or ostentation
as if the distinguished travellers were
the humblest private citizens-truly
happy and impressive illustration of
the genius and spirit of our republican
system of government. The President
and his wife were delighted with their
varied and pleasing experiences of the
past three weeks, and both Of them re-
sumo their duties, frightened and re-
freshed by their association with the
great American public.
The Bulletin seems to think that